Director-General Among 3 Arrested in Health Tender Corruption Scandal

• The Hawks arrested three senior officials from the National Department of Health following an investigation into corruption
• The suspects are expected to appear before the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court for an irregularly awarded tender in 2023
• One of the senior officials who was arrested was the department's director-general, who was implicated in the corrupt tender deal

Tebogo Mokwena, Briefly News’ Deputy Head of the Current Affairs desk, South Africa, covered a range of criminal activities, including cash-in-transit heists, kidnappings, taxi violence, shootings, police investigations, police shootouts, and court cases at Daily Sun for over three years.

PRETORIA, GAUTENG — The Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigations arrested the National Department of Health's Director-General and two other senior officials on 2 March 2026 following a two-year-long investigation into a corrupt tender award.

In a statement, Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said that Sandile Buthelezi and the officials were arrested after the Hawks launched an investigation into an irregularly awarded contract worth R1 million to a service provider in 2023. The tender award contravened the Public Finance Management Act. An investigation into the tender was launched in 2024. The trio will appear before the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.

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South Africans roast arrested thugs

Social media users reacted to the arrests on Facebook. Some jokingly linked them to the African National Congress, while others mocked the suspects.

Dashin Avhasei Maphupha said:

"I'm sure he didn't renew his ANC membership."

Mtho_CFC observed:

"I mean, such doesn't shock us anymore. If you get shocked by a politician getting arrested, the joke is on you."

Manikivana added:

"Until they arrest those Covid-19 criminals in Portfolio Committees, I will suspend my excitement."

Tendani Hove asked:

"Why does it seem like the Hawks found their mojo after the retirement of Lebeya?"

VanD joked:

"Probably didn't give the ANC their cut, hence they got arrested."

Shazma added:

"The Department of Health is one sick department, to be honest."

Jenna Justine pointed out:

"The ruling parties' newly-appointed health department official, in 2026, was arrested by the Hawks. Not a good start for voters going into the elections. Political scoring points are deteriorating slowly, and performances are going down."

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Thug passion remarked:

"But they never get convicted. This is one of their election campaign stunts."

3 Briefly News stories about Hawks arrests

• The Hawks arrested three suspects near Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape on 24 February 2026 for attempting to bribe police officers with a R19,500 bribe. The police stopped a suspicious vehicle during a roadblock, and the suspects unsuccessfully tried to bribe the officers.
• The Hawks also arrested 38 people in Mpumalanga on 22 February for allegedly being part of a R114 million scheme. The suspects appeared before the Nelspruit Magistrates Court and were granted a combined bail of R1,625,000.
• A 30-year-old was arrested in connection with the death of whistleblower Marumo Eric Phenya, who was killed in 2022. The suspect, Minenhle Mthembu, was arrested on 10 February 2026 after the police discovered that he was hiding in KwaZulu-Natal.

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Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.

Source: Briefly News